{
  "id": 18981193,
  "title": "U2 Speak Up About Ed Sheeran, Macklemore “Free Palestine” Controversy, Criticize Rich Stadium Owners",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/u2-speak-up-about-ed-sheeran-macklemore-free-palestine-controversy",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-08T17:10:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Consequence",
    "slug": "consequence",
    "url": "https://consequence.net/2026/11/u2-on-ed-sheeran-macklemore-controversy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "U2 has spoken out regarding the controversy that caused rapper Macklemore to be removed from Ed Sheeran's tour after Macklemore's support for Palestine. The Edge of U2 told the BBC that the band \"totally support Macklemore's right as an artist to say what he wanted to say.\" He also commended the other young artists who left the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, stating, \"I think that's the issue above anything else.\"\n\nMacklemore was removed from the tour after several stadium owners, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, objected to his remarks on stage supporting Palestine and threatened to prevent him from performing if he remained on the bill. Sheeran himself confirmed that it was the promoter's decision to remove Macklemore from the shows, not his own.\n\nU2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. also addressed the situation, criticizing wealthy venue owners and promoters for attempting to censor musicians. He emphasized that while artists have the right to choose whether they want to be politically active, no billionaire, promoter, or owner has the right to censor anyone. Mullen Jr. stated, \"Nobody — no billionaire, no promoter, no owner — has the right to censor anybody. And they will definitely not be censoring us, ever.\"\n\nThe Edge further clarified U2's stance on the ongoing conflict by saying, \"We might disagree with some of the members of the pro-Palestine movement, but we absolutely agree with the fundamentals. We absolutely agree that what's going on [in Gaza] is unconscionable and that a child's life is equally valuable, no matter what their background.\" U2, who consider Sheeran a friend, collaborated with him on the song \"Yours Eternally\" from their February Days of Ash EP. The band will release their 16th studio album, Carnaval De Luz, on November 16th, and will kick off a world tour the following February.",
  "summary": "The Irish band supported the rapper's right to speak up while also offering encouragement to the English singer-songwriter. U2 Speak Up About Ed Sheeran, Macklemore “Free Palestine” Controversy, Criticize Rich Stadium Owners Travis Bland",
  "key_points": [
    "U2 supports Macklemore's right to express his stance on Palestine.",
    "Stadium owners threatened to prevent Macklemore from performing.",
    "U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. criticizes wealthy owners for censorship."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}